Sprint legend Fraser-Pryce will retire after Olympics Shooting Stars defeat Rivers United in rescheduled NPFL clash
Shooting Stars of Ibadan yesterday defeated Rivers United 1-0 in a rescheduled matchday 15 of the 2023/24 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Ibadan.
Rivers United had hoped to capitalise on the recent poor form of Shooting Stars and bidding to overturn an unimpressive run against the ‘Oluyole Warriors’.
The early minutes of the game saw both sides battling to find the opener, creating some goal-scoring chances in the process.
In the additional minutes of the first half, the referee awarded a controversial penalty to the hosts which was converted expertly by Taofeek Malomo.
At the restart of the second half, the visitors took the game to their hosts as they sought ways to get back into the game.
Rivers United coach, Evan Ogenyi brought on Yao Bernard and Andy Okpe to replace Nyima Nwagua and Deputy Echeta but this didn’t work out as planned as Taofeek Malomo’s first-half penalty made the difference, as the Oluyole
As the ongoing 2024 Lagos international polo tournament heads to its grand finale this week, the glittering Silver Cup will take centre stage with fourteen teams drawn from all the major polo centres across the country vying for the coveted polo prize.
The prestigious Lagos polo fiesta that marks its 120th anniversary
Warriors claimed their second win in 10 NPFL games.
Following this loss, the ‘Pride of Rivers’ have recorded just a point from their last five meetings against 3SC in Ibadan and that record.
Meanwhile, the NPFL board has announced a new date for the kick of the second stanza of the 2023/24 season.
The resumption date which was initially scheduled for
February 14, 2024, has been changed to February 16, 2024.
The NPFL Chief Operating Officer, Davidson Owumi disclosed this in an address to all the participating clubs.
Owumi stated that the aim is to ensure sporting fairness to all by not having any club with arrears of fixtures from the first round.
“This is to formally notify all clubs that the new date this year, galloped with fanfare on January 23 at the Ribadu Road Polo Ground in Ikoyi with a record 39 teams campaigning for honours.
Polo Royals report that the final stage of the polo event decided over four weeks of top class polo and exciting games, will see a crowded field of equally matched low-goal teams from Abuja, Kano, Kaduna, Ibadan and host Lagos slugging it out for the Silver Cup from February for the Matchday 20, initially scheduled for February 14, 2024, is now the weekend of Friday, February 16, 2024, to Sunday, February 18, 2024”, read part of the letter.
Lobi Stars currently top the table with 36 points and closely followed by Remo Stars, Doma United and Kano Pillars who are second, third and fourth respectively.
Silver Cup takes centre stage as Lagos polo tournament climaxes
13-18, 2024.
On the playing turf Sheyi Onyinola wrote his name in gold as he led the trio of Mayowa Ogunnisi, Lalu Agoro, Timi Badiru and Baba Dantata in Team Lagos 1974 colours to brushed past Team Lagos 2010, to clinch the coveted Governor’s Cup,
Team Lagos 1904 boasting youngsters like Tayo Ojora, Adebayo Karim, Osaro Omoruyi and Mohammed Dangote were the other top flyers of the second week, sailing past their Team Lagos 1962 opponents to win the Lagos Heritage Cup.
Other top winners of the glamorous polo festival include the defending champions, Lagos Leighton Kings made good their pre- tournament ratings edging arch rivals Art Hotel Shoreline in a gusty final game to retain the event’s biggest prize, the Majekodunmi
Cup.
“It’s unbelievable. I couldn’t describe the first time we won so I don’t know how to put this one into words,” Jolaoso, Patron of Leighton Kings declared shortly after the tense final match.
“It could have gone either way after they (Art Hotel Shoreline) drew level late in the last chukka, but our winning edge tilted in our favour,” he added.